Euronews

But the furry four-legged creatures are stealing a march on the others as this year’s seasonal accessory.

A rent-a-reindeer firm is enjoying bumper bookings with shop owners keen to make up for what has been a poor year in sales.

“Nothing says Christmas more than reindeer and we needed something that would be enough of a draw or different than a Santa. We needed something that all the children would come along to see,” effused baby-shop owner Sam Hutchins.

But renting a reindeer is not cheap, with prices starting from around 600 euros.